Here are the kicks I built for Sound Quality competitions. Typically you will find that serious competitors tend to aim speakers straight across at one another, rather than aim them at a listening position. The reason for doing this is that by aiming speakers at a listener, you will run into directional issues causing bias or identification of which speakers are closer to you, thus skewing your sound to that speaker. In order to create the “illusion” of wider and deeper sound stages the speakers have to be off axis to the listener. This is also a big part of creating the “illusion” of imaging.

1. Cut out the side pieces to create the proper angle to aim your baffle board straight across the car.

2. Cut out an outer ring to house your grill piece.

3. Solidly mount the new enclosure and stretch fleece across the kick panels trim.

Fabrication tip: Router a recessed lip around the edges for stapling the fleece into the enclosure, this will create a smoother transition and make the sanding easier in the end. Lay down plastic wrap or tape on your interior parts before fiberglassing.

4. Finish with fiberglass and a smooth layer of body filler.

5. Sand smooth and lastly carpet the enclosures.

Competition tip: Lightly stuff your enclosure with Angel Hair pillow stuffing from Walmart. This will help to “fool” the speakers that they are in a larger enclosure which adds deeper and richer sound to the low-end. Also, be sure to take photos of how neatly your terminals are terminated for the judges to see.

Here is the finished product. Installed are a component set of Focal Midrange drivers and a tweeter. The pods also have a show quality grille upholstered in tweed which matches the seats as well as the midbass driver’s grille.